I have ridden horses all my life; from being given my first Shetland Pony Hercules (Ex Queen Mother’s Mascot) by the Local Pony Club DC at age 2, and my first taste of Eventing whilst living in America- at the Kentucky Horse Park (where Rolex CCI**** is held)… who would have thought my Pony Club experience would lead me to getting my A-year with Honours, and subsequently training new A-test hopefuls through to their dreams!
I decided that horses were going to play a great role in my life during my JRN years. I spent my GAP year as a working pupil for John-Paul Sheffield, gaining invaluable experience of the eventing world. It was then that I decided if I was going to enjoy University, horses were going to have to feature greatly. As I was dedicated to competing, and producing young horses, my only choice of Universities was Hartpury College- as they were involved in the Young Riders Squad. They had fantastic facilities for producing my horses… not to mention the course! I spent the three years at Hartpury training my team of horses with various different trainers including: Carl Hester, Nick Burton, Jamie Foyers, Nigel Taylor, and Patsy Bartram; and more recently with Vale View Resident Caroline Moore, and Jane Green & Nikki Herbert.
Fortunately, as my main horse was injured during my first year, I happened upon a horse to follow and to be her (rather more successful) successor! Following a good year competing at CCI** level and advanced, Talk Time lead me to my first representation for my country, in Portugal at the European Championships in 2004; we went on to 3*, and she subsequently bred me some lovely babies.
I also got team call-ups for International Student Riding teams; I won Individual Gold Medal in Dressage at the BUSA Championships, Silver medal Individually Internationally in Norway, and was on the World University Equestrian Games team in La Rochelle. Since these team representations, I was short listed on 3 different horses for the European 2* Championship, where, unfortunately, injury kept us at home…
Having graduated I moved back to Leicestershire, where I am competing and producing horses full time. My yard is at Vale View Equestrian, in Old Dalby, with facilities that are out of this world for producing my lovely young horses!! The yard is in the heart of Quorn’s best hunting country, so my second passion will be at my fingertips too!
I have been developing my ‘string’, and the select few special ‘kids’ that are hopefully here for the long haul have all started with me directly from their breeders… I’m proud to say, that from my original stars, who I thought would be my horses of a lifetime: Gossip and TJ, who made me proud at Advanced and old style 3*, the team has blossomed into more horses that will hold my heart forever… Smokie and Pete- both found as 4 year olds, now having competitive double clears at the new 4* level under their belts; Cappie, who has done his first Advanced; Hendricks and Mowgli who are a mere step behind- with SO much promise!!!
I enjoy my Coaching nearly as much as riding for myself… I hold the UKCC qualification, and love taking human competitors under my wing and developing their potential.
I am very pleased to introduce my sponsors/ supporters to you, their support is absolutely invaluable, and makes my world go round!!
My wonderful Saddlers- Spalding International Saddlery with Master Saddler Andy Wheals at the helm.
WeatherBeeta joined the party: their original support came from Collegiate Bridles, who is under the same umbrella as a few other companies WeatherBeeta is in charge of.
Spillers provide wonderful support, through advice and their wonderful feed that has kept my team in such wonderful condition for about 2 decades…
Equine Athletes, Veterinary Physio. Antonia Bealby looks after my competition horses, and I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to draw on her wealth of knowledge and experience to get the best out of my horses!
Lord and Lady Equestrian with their wonderful array of competition shirts and baselayers
I have high hopes for the team, and I believe with everything I have experienced on my journey is helping me draw every ounce of potential out of every single individual… which is what gives me most pleasure- unlocking every iota of potential on our quest for greatness!!
